Fitzcarraldo

Of all the ship masts undergoing repairs at Smugglers Cove Boatyard near Aberdyfi, there’s one that seems a little different from the rest. In case you weren’t quite sure which, it’s the one that’s 25-ft-high, made from galvanised steel, and features a large clock on it. This surreal sculpture comes from the mind of British artist, Andy Plant, who has been creating weird and wacky mechanical structures, particularly clocks, for over 25 years. This particular piece, created in 1996, served as the mast of the Fitzcarraldo, the first theatre ship in Europe that once toured around the British Isles, bringing theatrical performances to coastal communities. During its heyday as the focal point of the Fitzcarraldo, this clock would put on a surprising show, every hour, on the hour. Whistles and fog horns would sound, before the crow’s nest would rise up, giving off a plume of smoke and revealing two spinning goldfish. As the fish spun faster, water squirted from their mouths, soaking the unsuspecting audience below. After years of travelling around the UK, the boat is now out of action. But how the boat’s one-of-a-kind mast ended up in a boat yard in a small Welsh village is a bit of a mystery. The clock is being refurbished and is currently off, but remains a wonder to see.